Adjustable footrest with book holder

ABSTRACT

The adjustable footrest with a book holder is adapted to be used in combination with a conventional toilet, allowing the user to be positioned in a squatting position to facilitate movement of the user&#39;s bowels, and further being adapted for supporting reading material. The adjustable footrest with a book holder includes a pair of foot supports, each having at least one leg and an upper support surface. At least one telescopically adjustable beam extends horizontally between, and connects, the pair of foot supports, each to the other, providing an adjustable width between the pair of foot supports. A lower end of an elongated vertical support rod is releasably secured to the at least one telescopically adjustable beam. A panel is secured to an upper end of the elongated vertical support rod. The panel is adapted for supporting reading material, such as a book.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/503,947, filed on May 10, 2017.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure of the present patent application relates to footrests, and particularly to a combination therapeutic footrest and book holder for use while on a toilet.

2. Description of the Related Art

Humans can move their bowels in a number of different defecation postures. The two most common positions are the squatting defecation posture and the sitting defecation posture. The squatting posture is used for squat toilets as well or whent toilets or other devices are absent. The sitting defecation posture is used in Western style toilets, and has a lean-forward posture or a 90° posture. In general, the posture chosen is largely a cultural decision.

In Western style toilets, the sitting position is primarily used. The sitting position causes the defecating human to assume a narrow anorectal angle, which some believe is obstructive and causes difficulty in emptying the bowels. The sitting position can cause the defecating human being to repeat the Valsalva maneuver many times and with great force, which may overload the cardiovascular system and cause defecation syncope. Studies have also been performed with regard to the length of time needed to defecate using various postures. These studies have shown that the sitting defecation posture requires excessive expulsive effort compared to the squatting posture. Further, a sitting posture may increase diverticulosis of the colon. The magnitude of straining during defecation is at least three times greater than with the squatting posture.

The squatting defecation posture involves squatting by standing with knees and hips sharply bent and the buttocks suspended near the ground. Squat toilets are designed to facilitate this posture and are more widespread in the developing world than in the Western world. In the United States, the squatting position is colloquially known as the “catcher's position” or the “catcher's posture” because of its similarity to the posture that baseball players must maintain while playing the catcher position. Research has suggested that the squatting defecating posture can aid in the prevention of cancer, especially colorectal cancer.

The anorectal angle that results from squatting allows smooth bowel elimination as the colon is straightened out, whereas sitting causes it to become compressed and obstructive. The squatting defecation posture requires less expulsive effort when compared to the sitting defecation posture. Research further suggests that the squatting position may prevent the risk of defecation syncope and death due to cardiovascular complications associated with the sitting position, as squatting requires less amount of straining on the part of the defecating individual. Additionally, squatting may be beneficial for patients suffering from spastic pelvic floor syndrome, due to the increased anorectal angle enabled by the posture. Thus, an adjustable footrest with a book holder solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY

The adjustable footrest with a book holder is adapted to be used in combination with a conventional toilet, allowing the user to be positioned in a squatting position to facilitate movement of the user's bowels, and further being adapted for supporting reading material. The adjustable footrest with a book holder includes a pair of foot supports, each having at least one leg and an upper support surface. At least one telescopically adjustable beam extends horizontally between, and connects, the pair of foot supports, each to the other, providing an adjustable width between the pair of foot supports.

Each foot support preferably includes a pair of opposing sidewalls, such that the upper support surface thereof may be supported by, and pivotally attached to, the pair of opposing sidewalls. A lower end of an elongated vertical support rod is releasably secured to the at least one telescopically adjustable beam. A bracket is provided for supporting the elongated vertical support rod on the at least one telescopically adjustable beam. The bracket includes a clip portion and a receiver portion. The clip portion is adapted for releasably grasping the at least one telescopically adjustable beam, and the receiver portion is adapted for releasably receiving the lower end of the elongated vertical support rod. A panel is pivotally secured to an upper end of the elongated vertical support rod. The panel is adapted for supporting reading material, such as a book or the like. The elongated vertical support rod preferably has an adjustable height.

In an alternative embodiment, the adjustable footrest and the bookholder are provided separately in the form of a kit. Similar to the previous embodiment, the adjustable footrest includes a pair of foot supports, each having at least one leg and an upper support surface. At least one telescopically adjustable beam extends horizontally between, and connects, the pair of foot supports, each to the other, providing an adjustable width between the pair of foot supports. Each foot support preferably includes a pair of opposing sidewalls, such that the upper support surface thereof may be supported by, and pivotally attached to, the pair of opposing sidewalls.

In this embodiment, the bookholder stands separately from the adjustable footrest. The bookholder includes a base, an elongated vertical support rod and a panel. A lower end of the elongated vertical support rod is secured to the base, and the panel is pivotally secured to the upper end of the elongated vertical support rod. As in the previous embodiment, the panel is adapted for supporting a book.

These and other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable footrest with a book holder.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the adjustable footrest with a book holder.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable footrest with a book holder.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative adjustable footrest kit.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The adjustable footrest with a book holder 10 is adapted to be used in combination with a conventional toilet, allowing the user to be positioned in a squatting position to facilitate movement of the user's bowels, and further being adapted for supporting reading material. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustable footrest with a book holder 10 includes a pair of foot supports 12, each having at least one leg 14 and an upper support surface 16. In the non-limiting example of FIGS. 1 and 2, each foot support 12 is shown as having four legs 14, however, it should be understood that each foot support 12 may be provided with any desired numbers of legs. Further, as best shown in FIG. 3, legs 14 may have adjustable heights, with each leg 14 having first and second telescopic portions 22, 24, respectively. Through engagement of a conventional spring tensioned pin 18 in a corresponding bore 20 or the like, the height of each leg 14 may be adjustably selected. Each leg 14 may also have a rubber pad or foot 40 or the like, as is conventionally known.

At least one telescopically adjustable beam extends horizontally between, and connects, the pair of foot supports 12, each to the other, providing an adjustable width between the pair of foot supports 12. In the non-limiting example of FIGS. 1-3, first and second telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28, respectively, are shown, however, it should be understood that any suitable number of beams may be utilized. Through engagement of a conventional spring tensioned pin 30, 32 in a respective corresponding bore 34, 36 or the like, the length of each of first and second telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28 may be adjustably selected. In this example, in which first and second telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28, respectively, are provided, a gap is defined between the pair of beams, thus defining an easily graspable handle. This allows the user to easily pick up, carry and transport the adjustable footrest with a book holder 10 when not in use.

As best seen in FIG. 3, each foot support 12 preferably includes a pair of opposing sidewalls 42, such that each upper support surface 16 is supported by, and is pivotally attached to, the corresponding pair of opposing sidewalls 42. A pair of pivot pins 44 may extend from opposed sides of the support surface 16 of each foot support 12, as shown. The pairs of pivot pins 44 are each respectively rotationally received within a pair of bearing holes 46 formed in the corresponding pair of opposing sidewalls 42.

Further, as shown, each foot support 12 may also include front and rear arches 50, 52, respectively. Each of the front and rear arches 50, 52 extend between, and connect, the pair of opposing sidewalls 42. One or more removable locking clips 54 may be provided for securing upper support surface 16 in place to cease rotation thereof with respect to the opposing sidewalls 42, thus allowing the user to selectively lock the foot support 12 in place as desired. As shown, each locking clip 54 releasably engages a corresponding one of front and rear arches 50, 52, respectively, and extends upward to contact and support an underside of the corresponding upper support surface 16.

In the exemplary configuration of FIGS. 1-3, as noted above, first and second telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28, respectively, are provided. As shown, each of first and second telescopically adjustable beams 26, 28, respectively, may have a unique and distinct length associated therewith. In the non-limiting example of FIGS. 1-3, the first beam 26 is shown as being longer than the second beam 28, and the first and second beams 26, 28 are shown extending parallel with respect to one another, thus allowing each foot support 12 to be angled outwardly with respect to the first and second parallel beams 26, 28, respectively. Further, the first and second beams 26, 28 may include rails 58, as shown. The rails 58 may be releasably held by corresponding brackets 60 extending from the sidewalls 42, as best seen in FIG. 3, to form a unitary, stable body.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower end 62 of an elongated vertical support rod 60 is releasably secured to the first telescopically adjustable beam 26. A bracket 66 is provided for supporting the elongated vertical support rod 60 on the first telescopically adjustable beam 26. The bracket 66 includes a clip portion 68 and a receiver portion 70. The clip portion 68 extends normal to the receiver portion 70. The clip portion 68 can include a clip or jaw adapted for releasably grasping the first telescopically adjustable beam 26, and the receiver portion 70 can include a groove adapted for releasably receiving the lower end 62 of the elongated vertical support rod 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a groove 72 may be defined in the first telescopically adjustable beam 26 for engaging clip portion 68 of bracket 66.

A panel 76 is pivotally secured to an upper end 64 of the elongated vertical support rod 60. The panel 76 is adapted for supporting reading material, such as a book or the like. The elongated vertical support rod 60 is preferably telescopic, allowing the user to adjust the height thereof. Preferably, the height is releasably lockable. It should be understood that panel 76 is shown for exemplary purposes only, and may have any desired overall contouring, configuration or relative dimensions. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 1, panel 76 is shown as further having a pair of horizontally adjustable bars 78, allowing the user to secure reading material having a variety of different widths therebetween.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the support surface 16 of each foot support 12 has a textured foot receiving portion 80 for massaging a foot of the user. While the user is sitting on the toilet, his or her feet can be moved over the textured foot receiving portions 80. The massaging motion of the feet over the textured foot receiving portions 80 coupled with a rocking or swinging motion of the feet, caused by the pivoting of each upper support surface 16, improves bowel movement, thus making the user more comfortable while he or she is trying to defecate. The evacuation reflex of the user may be stimulated through this massaging motion of the feet by targeting the reflex zones on the bottom of the user's feet.

In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 4, the adjustable footrest 102 and the bookholder 104 are provided separately in the form of a kit 100. In kit 100, the adjustable footrest 102 is substantially identical to that described in the previous embodiment, but adjustable footrest 102 is not releasably coupled to bookholder 104. As in the previous embodiment, the adjustable footrest 102 includes a pair of foot supports 112, each having at least one leg 114 and an upper support surface 116. First and second telescopically adjustable beams 126, 128 extend horizontally between, and connect, the pair of foot supports 112, each to the other, providing an adjustable width between the pair of foot supports 112. Each foot support 112 preferably includes a pair of opposing sidewalls 142, such that the upper support surface 116 may be supported by, and pivotally attached to, the pair of opposing sidewalls 142. As in the previous embodiment, the support surface 116 of each foot support 112 has a textured foot receiving portion 180 for massaging a foot of the user.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the bookholder 104 stands separately from the adjustable footrest 102. The bookholder 104 includes a base 106, an elongated vertical support rod 160 and a panel 176. A lower end 162 of the elongated vertical support rod 160 is secured to the base 106, and the panel 176 is pivotally secured to the upper end 164 of the elongated vertical support rod 160. As in the previous embodiment, the panel 176 is adapted for supporting a book.

It is to be understood that the adjustable footrest with a book holder is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but encompass any and all embodiments within the scope of the generic language of the following claims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shown in the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter. 

I claim:
 1. An adjustable footrest with a book holder, comprising: a pair of foot supports, each said foot support having at least one leg and an upper support surface; at least one telescopically adjustable beam extending horizontally between, and connecting, the pair of foot supports, each to the other; an elongated vertical support rod having opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end thereof being releasably secured to the at least one telescopically adjustable beam; and a panel secured to the upper end of the elongated vertical support rod, the panel being adapted for supporting a book.
 2. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 1, wherein each said foot support further comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls.
 3. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 2, wherein the upper support surface is pivotally attached to the pair of opposing sidewalls of each said foot support.
 4. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 3, wherein a pair of pivot pins extend from opposed sides of the support surface of each said foot support, the pair of pivot pins being respectively rotationally received within a pair of bearing holes formed in the corresponding pair of opposing sidewalls.
 5. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 2, wherein each said foot support further comprises front and rear arches, wherein each of the front and rear arches extend between, and connect, the pair of opposing sidewalls.
 6. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 1, further comprising a bracket having a clip portion and a receiver portion, the clip portion being adapted for releasably grasping the at least one telescopically adjustable beam, and the receiver portion being adapted for releasably receiving the lower end of the elongated vertical support rod.
 7. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 1, wherein the elongated vertical support rod has an adjustable height.
 8. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 1, wherein the panel is pivotally secured to the upper end of the elongated vertical support rod.
 9. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one telescopically adjustable beam comprises first and second parallel beams each having a unique and distinct length.
 10. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 1, wherein the support surface of each said foot support has a textured foot receiving portion for massaging a foot of a user.
 11. The adjustable footrest with a book holder as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one leg of each said foot support has an adjustable height.
 12. An adjustable footrest kit, comprising: an adjustable footrest comprising: a pair of foot supports, each said foot support having at least one leg and an upper support surface; and at least one telescopically adjustable beam extending horizontally between, and connecting, the pair of foot supports, each to the other; a bookholder comprising: a base; an elongated vertical support rod having opposed upper and lower ends, the lower end thereof being secured to the base; and a panel secured to the upper end of the elongated vertical support rod, the panel being adapted for supporting a book.
 13. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein each said foot support further comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls.
 14. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 13, wherein the upper support surface is pivotally attached to the pair of opposing sidewalls of each said foot support.
 15. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 14, wherein a pair of pivot pins extend from opposed sides of the support surface of each said foot support, the pair of pivot pins being respectively rotationally received within a pair of bearing holes formed in the corresponding pair of opposing sidewalls.
 16. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 13, wherein each said foot support further comprises front and rear arches, wherein each of the front and rear arches extend between, and connect, the pair of opposing sidewalls.
 17. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein the elongated vertical support rod has an adjustable height.
 18. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein the panel is pivotally secured to the upper end of the elongated vertical support rod.
 19. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein the at least one telescopically adjustable beam comprises first and second parallel beams each having a unique and distinct length.
 20. The adjustable footrest kit as recited in claim 12, wherein the support surface of each said foot support has a textured foot receiving portion for massaging a foot of a user. 